Our Picks For 07/11-07/18

This week's picks we are sure you will enjoy.

Gather up your derby hats and your mint juleps, pack the buckaroos into the wagon and head out to Prineville for the region’s only on-track betting event with a chance to win big while playing the ponies right in our backyard. This isn’t the Kentucky Derby, though. The atmosphere here is more Pendleton Round-Up than Churchill Downs, which means plenty of fun for the whole family. $5. All ages. Gates at 6 p.m. Races at 7:15 p.m. Crook County Fairgrounds, 1280 S. Main St., Prineville.

Munch and Music Kick Off

thursday 12

Summer time in Bend officially begins with the first weekly Munch and Music. Tons of local food, craft vendors, beer and, best of all, FREE MUSIC! This week’s entertainment will be provided by Winstrong, super accessible dancehall-style reggae sure to rock the whole park. 5:30-9:30pm. Drake Park, downtown Bend.

Fermentation Celebration

thursday 12

You know what this town needs? Another beer event! But there are two things worth noting about this one. First, you will taste beer from Bend-area breweries you’ve undoubtedly never heard of. Shade Tree, for instance. Who’s that, you ask? Go to this thing and find out. Second, local breweries large and small will be rolling out “unique, limited or experimental” brews, making this the place to try styles you likely won’t see on draft around town. Box Car Stringband will play and BendFilm will screen “The Love of Beer,” a film about women in the brewing industry, including local Tonya Cornett. Free to walk around. $15 to taste. 5 p.m., Old Mill, 520 SW Powerhouse Dr.

Bend Summer Festival

friday 13- sunday 15

The best thing about SummerFest is probably all the great music. Five stages of it! Check out our top music picks in the Sound section this week. But there’s an awful lot of other things to do, too. You could just wander around poking in and out of the booths this event draws from all over the West. You could get food from one of the 30-plus food vendors. Or you could chill in the beer garden and play cribbage for an afternoon. Children’s activities, too. Free. All ages. Full schedule at c3events.com. Things gear up at 5 p.m. Friday and run through 6 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Bend.

Sisters Outdoor Quilt show

saturday 14

The 37th annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt show includes a quilting activities area, raffles, lectures, walking tours and an exhibit featuring quilts from around the world. This year’s theme, A Patterned Village, is reflected in the motifs and designs of over 1,300 quilts on display. View the winning submissions for best contemporary and abstract design, best use of color, and judge’s choice. Don’t forget to vote for your very own favorite while enjoying Sister’s rustic charm. Downtown Sisters.

Locavore Help Us Grow Party

saturday 14

Consider the following things. Home-smoked local meats, buffalo brisket and pulled pork. A water balloon war, piñatas and an “After Dark Psychedelic Cowboy Dance Party.” The point of this little shindig may be to raise money to secure a local food hub for Locavore, an online marketplace selling primarily local food products, but this fundraiser is going to be cool. Plus it’s at a ranch. More info at centraloregonlocavore.com. $20 for BBQ dinner and after party. $10 just for after party. Stamper Ranch, Hwy 97 65325 73rd St.

Tour des Chutes

saturday 14

For starters, you need to think of this as a fun ride, not a race. The goal is to raise money for cancer patients, not beat the pants off your last best time. In that spirit, there are five different rides during the main Tour des Chutes event—a 7-mile, a 25-mile, a 48-mile, a 72-mile and a 100-mile—and, for those less athletically inclined, two Cycle Pub nights have been added to the event line-up this year. Best thing to do is go to tourdeschutes.org, find out more about the prices for all these rides and register. Various start times throughout the day, after party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. High Lakes Elementary School, 2500 NW High Lakes Lp.

The Deschutes Dash

saturday 14-sunday 15

Check out swimmers, cyclists and runners along the river in the Old Mill District. The weekend will be filled with races differing in length, and kids' activities, including the COPA Kid’s Splash & Dash and a youth triathlon on Sunday. Olympic distance competitors will swim 1.5K, cycle 40K, and finish off with a 10K run while you kick back with an IPA and enjoy the action. See deshutesdash.com for schedule and more info. Old Mill District, 520 SW Powerhouse Dr.

Chukkers for Charity (Polo Match)

sunday 15

Yes, this is horse country, but most folks would be surprised to learn that it’s also home to a polo grounds where once a year the best polo players from around the Pacific Northwest descend to compete for a weekend of charity play. (Proceeds this year will benefit the Deschutes Land Trust). Prizes will be handed out for the best tailgate party as well as the best men’s and women’s hat. All ages. $10/adults. Kids 12 and under free, or $40 per car for field-side tail gate parking. Gates at 12 p.m. Match at 2 p.m. Camp Fraley Ranch, 60580 Gosney Rd.

Toots and the Maytals

wednesday 18

One of the world’s best reggae bands drops in on an Old Mill District’s Alive After Five event. They’ll bring their legendary ska-infused sound to the stage along the Deschutes. Free. 5 p.m. Old Mill District, 520 SW Powerhouse Dr.